Word Source - www.word.sc/step - Dictionary definition for step

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step

noun

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal; "the situation called for strong measures"; "the police took steps to reduce crime"
Synonyms: measure
the distance covered by a step; "he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig"
Synonyms: footstep, pace, stride
the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down; "he walked with unsteady steps"
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway; "he paused on the bottom step"
Synonyms: stair
relative position in a graded series; "always a step behind"; "subtle gradations in color"; "keep in step with the fashions"
Synonyms: gradation
a short distance; "it''s only a step to the drugstore"
Synonyms: stone's throw
the sound of a step of someone walking; "he heard footsteps on the porch"
Synonyms: footfall, footstep
a musical interval of two semitones
Synonyms: tone, whole step, whole tone
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface; "the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window"
Synonyms: footmark, footprint
a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship''s mast or capstan is fixed
a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance; "he taught them the waltz step"
Synonyms: dance step

verb

shift or move by taking a step; "step back"
put down or press the foot, place the foot; "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread"; "step on the brake"
Synonyms: tread
cause (a computer) to execute a single command
treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
Synonyms: abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mistreat
furnish with steps; "The architect wants to step the terrace"
move with one''s feet in a specific manner; "step lively"
walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner; "step over to the blackboard"
place (a ship''s mast) in its step
measure (distances) by pacing; "step off ten yards"
Synonyms: pace
move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation; "She stepped into a life of luxury"; "he won''t step into his father''s footsteps"